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“People are so important when it comes to the struggles we go through, whatever they may be. Talking with those closest to you can help so much in knowing that you’re not alone.” -Haley Klinkhammer

The Bible calls us to tell our story. Psalm 107 begins by saying “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Haley Klinkhammer is someone who is gifted at telling her narrative through music.

If you follow the Christian Rock music scene, there is a chance you have heard about Lacey Sturm and her encounter with God that changed her life.

Coming from a place of atheism and suicide contemplation, Lacey had such a life altering experience with the living God and His undeniable power changed the course of her life, setting into motion a powerful ministry.

Lacey Sturm concert photos for Waves of the Sea

My personal experience in following the music, writings and ministry of Lacey Sturm began in 2004. As a friend popped in the EP of a band called Flyleaf and said “you have got to hear this!” I was hooked at that very moment. It was like her music spoke to my soul without me even realizing exactly why. Later I came to realize it would be a platform God was using to shape my life. It was Jesus Christ, inside of Lacey, that was calling to me through her music. It was like I was hearing my story and a way to freedom that I was unconsciously wanting more of.

Lacey Sturm concert photos for Waves of the Sea

A few weeks after my friend and I were listening to Flyleaf in the car, I noticed they were touring with Seether, Shinedown and Halestorm and I knew had to go!

I watched Lacey and her band get up in front of hundreds people wearing all black, dark make-up, chugging beers and yelling every cuss word in the book. As Lacey took the stage, people from the audience were screaming, “you’re hot,” wanting to get her attention. Without an ounce of judgement in her eye, Lacey stood confidently in front of them and began to explain the next song called “Cassie.”

This song was about Cassie and Rachel who were killed in the Columbine shooting after they were asked if they believed in God. Lacey then said, “We, also believe in God and we would die for that,” the crowd hushed and she began to sing.

When she spoke those words, something hit me, I thought “How could someone be so bold to announce that they would die for their beliefs to a bunch of people who probably didn’t care?”

As a child of refugees from the country of Laos, Venex grew up with a faith that now informs her music. Although, it wasn’t until she was in her late 20’s that she realized life was more about helping others than just helping herself. She realized that God had given her a passion, a desire in her heart that had been with her since she was young. A passion in which she could help others but at the same time, find purpose herself.

What a gift.

Venex decided to step past her deep insecurities that tried to hold her back most of her life and step into what she knew she loved, music.

Venex’s lyrics are real, true and raw and talk mostly about the darkness of humanity and yet the hope. She finds the promise of HOPE through God and her belief that people, despite their hard hearts or circumstance can accomplish incredible acts of compassion, creativity, and love.

“Things don’t have to stay the same.” Venex said.

It’s when times are at their darkest that the Light in the world is most bright, most precious, and provides the most hope.

Waves of the Sea | wavesofthesea.comVenex Music – Fallen Crown

Venex said “after dealing with a selfish period of –why is my life so hard, I realized I wasn’t alone, I wasn’t the only person dealing with insecurity and doubt in people and sometimes myself and my faith”.

It was in that period that Venex grew compelled to help others through her passion of music.

Venex’s latest single Fallen Crown alludes to the present darkness in our world and this is exactly when we as humans tend to cry out to God more than ever, because in the darkness we are looking for Light. It seems fear can draw us near to God, looking to the Creator for answers when we can’t find them anywhere else. The inspiration behind Waves of the Sea is this exact idea of calling on God in our fear and seeing His faithfulness towards us. Psalm 107 explains how He hushed the waves of the sea and guided them, he wants us to follow Him day by day and watch for His faithfulness.

Waves of the Sea | wavesofthesea.comVenex Music – Fallen Crown

As far as Venex and her heart for injustice, she is compassionate towards those who are oppressed in 3rd world countries or teens that are bullied in middle school. As a child of refugees, she knows how difficult it was for her parents just looking for a safe place to lay their heads. Her heart burns for those less fortunate and she wants to make a difference. And like the parable of the five loaves and two fish she knows all she can do is start with the gift God gave her, which is music.

She hopes to inspire people to be all they want to be, to move people out of the limitations that others place on them and the pain of their past. Inspiring them to step into what makes them come alive.

Waves of the Sea | wavesofthesea.comVenex Music – Fallen Crown

Venex said “I have my doubts too somedays, I wonder if what I am doing helps anyone? I want to inspire people, but some days I am discouraged myself”

But as Venex was honest with herself and the people around her, she realized that most people have doubts in their abilities and that shouldn’t stop any of us, we need to keep stepping out, doing what God gifted us to do and knowing that even if we help one person in this world, it will all be worth it.

I don’t remember where, but I recall being told once that if you wanted to know God all you had to do was ask for him to reveal himself. It was in his character that he had to answer. He had to respond. I wanted to know if there was a god, was the one I was raised to “know” truly him or did some other religion get it right? I began praying and asking the real god to reveal himself to me, whoever he was.

As time progressed without a reply, I began to get a little angry because He wasn’t answering me. He wasn’t doing what I was asking Him to do and in my frustration I yelled out “God, why can’t you hear me?” Flipping open my Bible a second later, I looked down and read Isaiah 59:1-2

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,

nor his ear too dull to hear.

But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2

Reading this was like having a direct conversation with the god of the universe. I asked a question and He answered it, right there in black and white. This wasn’t just a coincidence, it continued. God persisted on answering long unanswered prayers, one after another straight from the Bible. It made God a tangible presence and someone I wanted to know.

Waves of the Sea | wavesofthesea.com

In college Nadine studied photography with an emphasis on her passion for photographing musicians. After her internship with Turner Broadcasting, she got married, and a few years later welcomed the birth of her daughter. Her dreams became less of a focus. Shortly after, she discovered that her child had a puzzling, recurring illness and Nadine was no longer able to work full-time. Still wanting to find purpose and a way to reach people with the life giving message of Jesus Christ, she became inspired by Psalm 107. From the story of the merchants at sea, Waves of the Sea was created. The story accounts, calling out to the Lord in a time of trouble and how He calmed the storm and led them to their desired haven.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;

they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24 They saw the works of the Lord,

his wonderful deeds in the deep.

For he spoke and stirred up a tempest

that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;

they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

Anything in our lives that causes us distress can be considered “waves of the sea.” Just as the merchants called out to God in this story and He stilled the storm to a whisper, He calms the waves in our lives too. But we must keep our focus on Him.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—

those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

This is the purpose of the Waves of the Sea blog, to “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” We promise you will hear unique, inspiring and real life accounts of the goodness of God’s love to those willing to call out to Him.

Psalm: 107:15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.